Johnny Cash memorabilia to be auctioned

A huge auction of Johnny Cash's personal belongings including instruments, hand written lyrics and stage outfits will take place on December 5

A huge auction of Johnny Cash's personal belongings will take place on December 5.

Over 1,000 items which belonged to the 'Folsom Prison Blues' musician - including stage outfits, instruments and lyrics - are to be auctioned for a total estimated price of between $400,000 and $600,000.

Among the items owned by country singer Johnny - who passed away in 2003, aged 71 - included in the sale are a Martin D-28 acoustic guitar which he signed and wrote the first four lines of his track 'I Walk the Line' on, expected to sell for up to $30,000.

There is also a handwritten note from Bruce Springsteen, addressed to "Big John" Cash, which reads: "Here's my latest album. It's got a lot of country + folk influences + I thought you might get a kick out of it."

Johnny covered some of Bruce's songs through his career, notably opening his 1983 album 'Johnny 99' with Bruce's track 'Highway Patrolman'.

Also for sale is a blue denim jumpsuit Johnny is wearing in one of the most famous pictures of him - where he is angrily swearing with his middle finger at the cameramen, mid-performance - expected to fetch up to $40,000.

Other items up for auction include handwritten lyrics, which are expected to fetch up to $4,000 each.

Despite Julien's estimates, the actual sale price of auction goods may be much higher - a 2004 auction of Johnny's possessions also estimated the value of its items as up to $600,000, but finally took some $4 million.

The Julien's auction will begin in Beverley Hills, California, US, on December 5, with a portion of proceeds from the sale donated to the MusiCares charity, which helps musicians with health or financial problems.

Meanwhile it was announced yesterday (26.10.10) Johnny will be inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame in Tennessee, US, in January next year.